Kelly Allsop excelled at all sports

Gifted sportsman and hard-working member of the Dunsborough Bowling Club, Kelly Allsop, died January 31st 2023 just six month short of his 90th birthday.

Allsop was awarded life membership from the Dunsborough and Districts Country Club, home of his beloved bowling club, in 2019.

That was his second life membership having received such an honour from the Busselton Football Club many years ago.

Kelly Allsop was one of those rare people who excelled at any sport he chose to pursue. He played 58 games for the Claremont Football Club where he received the Fairest and Best Award and leading goal kicker in his first season.

Moving to the South-West Football League Allsop quickly stamped his style of game with success. He played 120 games for Busselton, played in two premierships, was captain coach of the 1964 premiership team when he won the Pike Medal for best on ground and he was named coach for the 'Team of the Century' 1955-2004 to boot.

After retiring from playing and coaching football Allsop joined the Country Club in Dunsborough with the intention of 'walking around the golf course' but was quickly enticed to have 'a crack at lawn bowls'.

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Kelly won many club titles from pairs to fours and mixed games but his singles championship record may never be broken. He won ten singles titles with eight of them in succession. His last winning club championship game was the fours in 2018 when 85 years old. In that same year, Allsop was still playing pennants for his club.

• Kelly Allsop.

He was simply a magician on the green. When the championship draws were announced one could hear audible sighs either of happiness or frustration because someone was going to play the Little Master.

But his gentle manner towards all opponents should be bottled. He had an attitude that winning and losing are really impostors and one should treat those two impostors just the same.

Kelly Allsop had a full and happy life. Bowlers will retain their memories of him and like many other greats, his achievements will always be a subject after the game over a drink or three. Vale Kelly. It has been a privilege to know you.